高级英语大三unit 1 Technology in Reverse

1、Unit 1 Technology in ReverseBy Robert J. SamuelsonBy Robert J. Samuelsonn. adj. v. n. adj. v. in the opposite way or orderin the opposite way or orderin reversein reverse: : 反向，相反；反向，相反；go/ put sth. into reversego/ put sth. into reverse（使）出现逆转，（使）出现逆转，转化为对立面转化为对立面2021-12-21Teaching Objectives 1)To l

2、earn about some basic features of expository organizational pattern; 2)To grasp the new words and expressions; 3)Be familiar with the use of sarcastic words, expressions and sentences.2021-12-21About the Author Robert Jacob Samuelson (born December 23, 1945) is a contributing editor of Newsweek and

3、The Washington Post where he has written about business and economic issues since 1977. His columns appear in both publications. His articles also appear in the Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, and other influential newspapers.2021-12-21Warm-up Questions 1.What kind of technology has impressed y

4、ou most so far? 2. How has modern technology influenced our lives?2021-12-21Text Explanations The passage begins with the authors definition of the term retarded technology, that is exemplified by some technology-inspired waste and expensiveness. Then he explores some pro-technology reasons that are

5、 not need-based. What he is concerned with is the prevailing misuse of technology that is ordained by our ego and money.2021-12-21Text Structure The whole passage may follow into three parts: the first paragraph functions as the first part, introducing what is retarded technology by employing contra

6、st to advanced technology; the second part may include paragraphs 2-9, in which the author first exemplifies the waste and expensiveness of retarded technology, then he offers us the reasons for the survival of stupid technology: our ego and money; the last two paragraphs act as the third part, in w

7、hich the author advises us to be rational towards costly retarded technology by using another contrast.2021-12-21 Detailed Study of Text Para. 1 Questions: 1. Retarded technology vs. advanced technology 2. Does the author approve or disapprove of all technology? Why?2021-12-21Para.1 retard: (v.) slo

8、w the growth or development of, cause to move more slowly or operate at a slower rate 妨碍，妨碍，延迟，减缓延迟，减缓 Cold weather retards the growth of the crops.寒冷的天气妨碍了庄稼生长。 A rise in interest rates would severely retard economic growth.利率的提高将严重阻碍经济的发展。 retarded (adj.) : relatively slow in mental or emotional o

9、r physical development 智力迟钝的，发展智力迟钝的，发展迟缓的迟缓的2021-12-21 delay 耽搁，推迟，延误；耽搁，推迟，延误； hinder 阻碍，打扰；阻碍，打扰； impede 妨碍，阻止；妨碍，阻止； inhibit 抑制，禁止，使不能；抑制，禁止，使不能； slow down 减速，放慢速度；减速，放慢速度； hold back 退缩，阻碍；退缩，阻碍； keep back 隐瞒，保留，阻止；隐瞒，保留，阻止； What does the author imply in the sentence “Let me introduce you to ret

10、arded technology. “? Here the author implies that technology may not always push the world ahead, and that it sometimes holds it back.2021-12-21 elaborate： (v.) add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; 详细阐述，精心制作详细阐述，精心制作 (adj.)

11、 intricate and rich in detail 详尽的，精心制作的详尽的，精心制作的 Orthodox Christian churches often have elaborate steeples.传统的基督教堂都有精致的尖塔。 The curtains had an elaborate pattern of flowers窗帘上绘有精美的花卉图案。 What youve told me of your plan sounds most interesting; would you care to elaborate it?你给我讲的这个计划很有意思，你能详细地谈一谈吗？202

12、1-12-21 alluring： (adj.) active or exciting诱惑的，吸引人的诱惑的，吸引人的 Yet another of Plutos alluring features is its bizarre atmosphere.冥王星另一诱人的特色，是其诡异的大气层。 If Natures paradise sounds alluring, make a point of visiting South Island.如果大自然中的天堂听起来让你觉得有吸引力，那么别忘了到南岛去玩一玩。 an alluring smile 迷人的微笑 allure (n.) : the q

13、uality of being attractive and exciting诱惑力，吸引力诱惑力，吸引力 eg: the allure of big city alluringly (adv.) 2021-12-21 It has made waste respectable, elaborate, alluring and even fun. It has made waste highly regarded, intricate, attractive and even fun. Conclusion of Para.1 In this paragraph the author defi

14、nes retarded technology- Let me introduce you to. To make his contrast more impressive, the author uses a play on word: useful new things .or to do old things”, “new and expensive ways of doing .that were once done simply and inexpensively“ (old ways). 2021-12-21Notice two points in Para.1 : 1) the

15、author by no means disapproves of all technology, because he classifies technology into two categories, advanced technology, and retarded technology, thus setting the tone of the essay: to discuss the misconception and misuse of technology. 2).made waste respectable, elaborate, alluring and even fun

16、 is explained in Paragraph 7 by Social Status, Adult Play, The Mount Everest Effect.”2021-12-21Para.2 Newsweek ： 新闻周刊新闻周刊 The International Newsmagazine (http:/ ), on which it says: The national press in each country is no longer sufficient to fully understand the ways in which nations and people in

17、teract, and the impact this has on all our lives. You need an international viewpoint, and for this, nothing can replace Newsweek2021-12-21 boom (n.) a state of economic prosperity 繁荣繁荣 (v.) grow stronger 使兴旺，急速发展使兴旺，急速发展 The economy was booming. The aftermath of the war was not a boom, but a rural

18、depression .战争的结果不是繁荣和兴旺，而是农村经济的不景气。 The baby boom created a bulge in school enrollment.生育高峰造成学校入学人数的暴涨。 electronic book: 电子书电子书2021-12-21 customized (adj.) made according to requirements; made according to the specifications of an individual定制定制的的 The word customized refers to a product/service whi

19、ch is made to a customers specification.“定做”一词指的是按照顾客要求的规格制作产品或提供服务 a customized car 按需要定制的汽车 customize (v.) 2021-12-21 swell (adj.) very good or pleasant; 非常好的，漂亮的，一非常好的，漂亮的，一流的；很愉快的，流的；很愉快的， We had a swell time. (n. v.) increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity(使）膨胀，（使）隆起使）膨胀，（使）隆起; 增加，扩大，

20、增强增加，扩大，增强 Add a little oil to the pan, continue to bake until the eggs inside the cake swell.在锅里加一点油，继续烘烤直到里面的鸡蛋膨胀开来。 Last years profits were swelled by a fall in product costs去年因生产成本下降利润有所增加。2021-12-21Heres a swell idea of retarded technology.The following sentences are obviously disadvantages of

21、retarded technology, but why the word “swell” is used in this sentence?to show the authors wry tone of writing this essay.2021-12-21 cumbersome (adj.) difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight; not elegant or graceful in expression 笨重的，累赘的笨重的，累赘的 Its rather cumbersome having to

22、 carry all these cases around. 把这些箱子都带着走动是件相当麻烦的事。 Your article is too cumbersome. Lop off those repeated and empty words. 你的文章太冗长了。把那些重复的，空洞的话都删掉。2021-12-21 clog v. become or cause to become obstructed; impede the motion of, as with a chain or a burden 阻塞，障阻塞，障碍碍 Dont clog (up) your mind with usele

23、ss information.不要让你的头脑被无用的讯息所阻碍。 “Be sure to use skin-care products that wont clog your pores. “你要确定你用的护肤产品不会堵塞你的毛孔。” clog (up) with (sth) / clog sth (up) (with sth) The narrow streets were clogged with traffic. 狭窄的道路上交通阻塞。 Within a few years the pipes began to clog up. 没有几年，管子就开始堵塞了。 clog （n.) 木底鞋，

24、木屐木底鞋，木屐2021-12-21 If you take it to the beach, it gets clogged with sand. If you take it to the beach, it gets blocked with sand, which results in its malfunctioning. smash （n. v. adj.) break into pieces, as by striking or knocking over; hit violently打碎打碎 In case of emergency, smash the glass cover

25、 and press the button.遇到紧急情况时，击碎玻璃罩并摁下按钮。2021-12-21Paragraph 3 fragile： easily damaged or broken; weak and uncertain 易碎的，不牢固的，脆弱的易碎的，不牢固的，脆弱的 The author is making his comparisons in terms of , , and between electronic book and old-fashioned book . costmobilityfragilitydurability2021-12-21 traumatizi

26、ng： adj. very shocking and upsetting for a long time受受精神创伤的精神创伤的 (v.) traumatize： inflict a trauma upon 使受精神创使受精神创伤伤 She was completely traumatized by the death of her mother. (n.) trauma 精神创伤，痛苦经历精神创伤，痛苦经历 Losing it is not a traumatizing event.: Even if you lose it, you wont be too upset.2021-12-21

27、Paragraph 4 Pro-: Pro-: prefix (in adjectives prefix (in adjectives 构成形容词）构成形容词） in favor of ; supporting in favor of ; supporting 拥护，支持，赞成拥护，支持，赞成 反义词反义词antianti Usage: In informal spoken English Usage: In informal spoken English pro is sometimes used as is sometimes used as a a prepositionpreposit

28、ion. . Eg: She is very propro the present government.她极其赞成赞成现政府 pro: : n. (plural pros) a person who works as a (plural pros) a person who works as a PROFESSIONAL, especially in a sport PROFESSIONAL, especially in a sport 从事某职业的人，职从事某职业的人，职业选手业选手 a golf pro a golf pro 职业高尔夫球选手职业高尔夫球选手 pros and

29、cons:pros and cons: the reasons for and against something the reasons for and against something 正反正反两面，赞成者和反对者，事物的利与弊两面，赞成者和反对者，事物的利与弊 Eg: We weighed up the Eg: We weighed up the pros and conspros and cons。 我们权衡了利弊我们权衡了利弊得失。得失。2021-12-21 A pro-technology comeback : Note 2 : a quick reply in favor of

30、 technology to what is said above compress： v. to press sth. into a smaller space. 压缩压缩 comeback: n. a quick reply that is often clever, funny and insulting 反驳，回应反驳，回应 n. if a person in public life makes a comeback, they start doing sth. again which they has stopped doing, or they become popular aga

31、in. 复出；重返；再度受欢复出；重返；再度受欢迎迎2021-12-21 vista: n. a view, especially a splendid view from a high position 景色，景观，远景景色，景观，远景 He could see through the windows a vista of green fields.透过窗户他可以看到碧绿的田野风光。 This discovery open up new vista of research for biologist.这一发现为生物学家展示了新的研究前景。 The days stretch out in an

32、 endless vista. 时日在无穷的展望中延展着.2021-12-21 Arithmetic 算术算术 /算法算法 Algebra 代数（学）代数（学） Geometry 几何（学）几何（学） Calculous 微积分微积分 call up: to find and show information on a computer screen 调出储存，调出备用调出储存，调出备用 eg: I called his address up on the computer 我在计算上调出了他的地址。2021-12-21 The computer creates a bottleneck. T

33、he computer creates a problem-only one reader can read the books called up on the computer at a time. bottleneck： (n.) the narrow part of a bottle near the top; a narrowing that reduces the flow through a channel; 瓶颈，障碍物瓶颈，障碍物 bulky: adj. too big and taking up much space. 体积大的，体积大的，庞大的，笨重的庞大的，笨重的202

34、1-12-21 .do most people really need access to the entire collection of the New York Public Library? Do most people really need to be able to read all the materials in the New York Public Library? access accessible accessibility2021-12-21Questions in Para. 41. How does the author argues against the p

35、ro-technology comeback” on computerized libraries? The author discusses his view in two perspectives: arithmetic and common sense, that is the compressed 200,000 books available to one personVS.2,000 books available to 2,000 persons, and the necessary of making the entire collection available to mos

36、t people.2021-12-212. What does the author intend to convey in the question at the end of the paragraph 4? The author actually conveys the meaning that it is unnecessary and wasteful, since most people do not really need access to the entire collection of a public library.3. Summary of Para. 2-4 In

37、these paragraphs the author compares e-books with old-fashioned” books in an attempt to show the disadvantages of the former-they are both costlier and bulkier. 2021-12-21Paragraph 5 the video press release: Note 4 In my business .“: refers to the publishing business, since the author is a syndicate

38、d columnist for The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and The Boston Globe. bombard throw bombs at or attack with bombs; address with continuously or persistently, as if with a barragevBoth leaders were bombarded with questions from the press. 两位领导人都遭到新闻记者连珠炮似的提问。vbombard sb/sth (with sth)2021

39、-12-21 In my business, were bombarded with press releases for products. In my business, we receive an overwhelming number of press releases for products. promotional: adj. intended to advertise sth. 推销的，广告宣传的推销的，广告宣传的 toss v. the act of flipping a coin; to throw something carelessly 扔，投掷，扔，投掷， I wou

40、ld toss them into the sea.我会把它们统统地扔进大海。 toss and turn 翻来覆去难以入睡；辗转反侧翻来覆去难以入睡；辗转反侧2021-12-21 standard press releases“ refers to traditional press releases in the form of public statements on paper distributed to newspapers or magazines to publish if they wish. I can read standard press releases in 10

41、or15seconds before tossing 99percent of them. I can spend a little time reading normal paper press releases before I lose patience with most of them and throw them away. Sorry, no sale: Note 5 : informal usage, meaning “Sorry, no one would buy them.”2021-12-21Conclusion of Para.5 In paragraph 5, the

42、 author offers a third example that proves that retarded technology creates new and expensive ways of doing things that were once done simply and inexpensively, hence technology racing backward.” Again the author uses comparison and contrast in the production and effect of press releases and conclud

43、es: the video costs more and does less.2021-12-21Para.6 Heaves, no: Note 6 : an emphatic way of saying “no” conspicuous obvious to the eye or mind; without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious 显著的，显而易见的显著的，显而易见的 He was conspicuous among his colleagues .他在同事中是出类拔萃的。 The building is conspicu

44、ous for its style.这个建筑风格独特，很显眼。 Only under the dual guidance of school and family can conspicuous effects be achieved.只有在学校和家长的双重引导下,才能产生显著的效果。2021-12-21 upheaval n. a state of violent disturbance and disorder (as in politics or social conditions generally); a violent disturbance 剧变，动乱剧变，动乱 Mass une

45、mployment may lead to social upheaval.大批失业会导致社会动乱。 It was faced with the greatest social upheaval since World Warll.它面临第二次世界大战以来最大的社会动乱。 Many years ago, Johnson faced a major upheaval in his life.许多年前，约翰逊遭遇生命中的剧变。2021-12-21 Ours is an era of conspicuous technological upheaval. Our age is (the) one i

46、n which hi-tech has brought about many tremendous changes. purported: adj. assumed to be such; supposed据称的，传言的据称的，传言的 purport (v. to inf) ：to claim to be sth. or to have done sth. When this may not be true 自称，标榜自称，标榜 The book does not purport to be a complete of history of the period. 本书无意标榜为那个时期的全史

47、。 His plans are not what they purport to be.他的计划并不如他们所声称的那样。2021-12-21 elude v. escape, either physically or mentally; 逃避，躲避逃避，躲避 They had minor breakthroughs but real success eluded them.他们取得了一些小突破,但是真正的成功却和他们擦肩而过. But a majority in the House of Commons may again elude them.但是下院的多数席位仍将和它无缘。 But the

48、 purported gains of new technology .seem to elude us. It seems that the gains that new technology is supposed to offer us are far beyond our reach.2021-12-21 Ours is an area of conspicuous technological upheaval. But the purported gains of new technology rising incomes, greater productivity seem to

49、elude us. It is obvious that technology in modern age has brought great changes. Nevertheless, we have not yet benefited from the supposed gains of new technology rising income and greater productivity.2021-12-21 What does the author mean by the paradox? The author means that new technology is suppo

50、sed to bring about benefits to us but in reality some of them seem to elude us. .whose full benefits will soon burst upon us. which will unexpectedly produce advantageous impact on us.2021-12-21 corollary a practical consequence that follows naturally; (logic) an inference that follows directly from

51、 the proof of another proposition 推论，必然的结果推论，必然的结果 Blind jealousy is a frequent corollary of passionate love盲目的嫉妒往往是狂热的爱所造成的。 Good health is a corollary of having good habits.健康的身体是良好生活习惯的结果。 corolla：the whorl of petals of a flower that collectively form an inner floral envelope or layer of the peri

52、anth 花冠2021-12-21 techno-dope one who knows nothing about technology. techno: related to technology technocrat 技术人员技术人员,技术统治技术统治; technologic 工艺的；技术的工艺的；技术的 dope: an ignorant or foolish person 笨蛋，傻笨蛋，傻瓜瓜 A corollary is that . Are holding back progress: Note 72021-12-21 In Para. 6, the author acknowl

53、edges that technology may not be all that bad, but expresses his doubt about the pro-technology theory judge the following statements whether they are true or false.1)The author denies that technology may not be all that bad, but expresses his doubt about the pro-technology theory. 2) The author ack

54、nowledges that technology may not be all that bad, but expresses his doubt about the pro-technology theory. 3) The author acknowledges that technology may not be all that good, but expresses his belief in the pro-technology theory. FTF2021-12-21Para.7 offset compensate for or counterbalance抵消抵消, 补偿补

55、偿 This may offset the benefit of spending time with your family, as they will only see you next to your computer.这样可能会抵消掉与家人共度时光的好处，因为他们只会看到你窝在你的电脑旁边。 be offset by eg. In 1992 the cost of the layoffs was offset by the savings on the payroll. 在在1992年，裁员成本年，裁员成本费用因工薪总额的减少而得以弥补。费用因工薪总额的减少而得以弥补。2021-12-

56、21 offset sth against sth eg. He was able to offset his travel expenses against tax. 他用旅费抵消了他的税。他用旅费抵消了他的税。 to make sth look better by being close to it and different 忖托出忖托出 eg. Streaks of blond in his hair offset his deep tan. 他头发中的几缕金发忖托出他黝黑的肤色。他头发中的几缕金发忖托出他黝黑的肤色。2021-12-21embrace: a. to put your

57、arms around sb and hold them in a friendly or loving way 拥抱拥抱 Eg. She embraced her son genderly.b. formal : to include sth as part of a subject, discussion etc包含包含 Eg. Linguistics embraces a diverse range of subjects such as phonetics and stylistics.c. formal : to accept and use new ideas, opinions

58、etc eagerly 欣然接受，乐意接受（思想，建议等）欣然接受，乐意接受（思想，建议等） Eg. How old were you when you embraced feminism?d. formal : to start to believe in a religion or political system 信奉，皈依信奉，皈依 Eg. She embraced the Muslim faith.2021-12-21 frivolous adj. (of people or their behavior) silly or amusing, especially when such

59、 behavior is not suitable 愚蠢的，愚蠢的，可笑的可笑的 not serious in content or attitude or behavior无聊的，无聊的，不严肃的不严肃的,轻率的，轻佻的轻率的，轻佻的 n. frivolity: lack of serious or sensible thought or behavior 轻率，轻薄，轻薄轻率，轻薄，轻薄 Technology is often misused because the reasons people embrace it can be fairly frivolous. People ofte

60、n use technology in a wrong way because the reasons people eagerly accept it can be rather foolish.2021-12-21 to wit (old and formal use): namely, that is to say eg: Several pieces of major legislation have been introduced in the US over the past few years, to wit: the Americans With Disabilities Ac